Condado de Haza 20 Aldeas 2022

Condado de Haza is a single-estate producer working in Castilla y León, making this Tempranillo, here labelled VT Castilla-León, from old vines in a style close to Ribera del Duero. The high plateau of northern Spain sits at considerable altitude, where hot summer days and very cold nights create a wide diurnal range that lets Tempranillo ripen its dark fruit fully while keeping firm acidity and deep colour. The poor limestone and clay soils restrict yields and concentrate the wine. It is raised for sixteen months in oak barrels, a long ageing that softens the grape's powerful tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds the liquorice, vanilla and spice notes typical of barrel-aged Tempranillo, while malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity into a smoother texture. The colour is deep, dark red. The nose shows ripe black fruit, plum and red berries, with liquorice, vanilla, tobacco and a peppery, earthy edge. The palate is full bodied and structured, powerful but elegant, with firm ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees in a large red glass, opened ahead of time. It is built for roast and grilled red meats, lamb and game.